Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
Bekaert, an international producer of steel wire and related products has announced it will be closing its facility in Moen (Zwevegem). Production will be relocated to another facility in Petrovice in the Czech Republic. According to the company management, the operation has to improve the competitiveness of the larger Bekaert group by reducing costs. In coming weeks negotiations will be held with the trade unions. Bekaert employs 1900 people in Belgium and 30,000 worldwide.
Eurofound (2019), Bekaert, Offshoring/Delocalisation in Belgium, factsheet number 97472, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/97472.